Ecuador's Galapagos Islands Tour
September 7-14, 2027
22 spaces
HOTEL AND CRUISE ACCOMMODATIONS
Days 1 and 2 – Quito, Ecuador
Days 3 through 6 – MV Galápagos Legend
Day 7 – Oro Verde, Guayaquil, Ecuador
9 cabins available, 18 participants
(2 still available) Standard Plus Cabin (118 Sq Ft), Double Occupancy, per person, $6902
Standard Plus Cabin, Single Occupancy, $10,741
(2 still available) Junior Cabin (161 Sq Ft), Double Occupancy, per person, $7502
Junior Cabin, Single Occupancy, $11,791
(2) SOLD OUT Balcony Cabin (237 Sq Ft), Double Occupancy, per person, $8392
Balcony Cabin, Single Occupancy, $13,341
Includes 2 flights within Ecuador and Park Licenses and Fees. Airfare to and from Ecuador is not included. All tips are included.
4 nights aboard M/V Galapagos Legend. Experience comfort, luxury and style while exploring the enchanted Archipelago on board one of the most recognized and renowned expedition vessels sailing the Galapagos, the M/V GALAPAGOS LEGEND; a stylish and elegant boat that offers everything the eager explorer looks for on a high end ship: spacious cabins and suites (some with private balconies), ample comfortable social areas to enjoy in group, family and as a couple. Tasty Ecuadorian and international cuisine served at its two restaurants and al-fresco dining, a complete library and modern auditorium, well-provided bars, swimming pool and 2 jacuzzis on its wonderful sun-deck are some of the highlights of this enchanting vessel.
DAY 1, September 7, Depart the USA: Depart the USA on a flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, we’ll be met by a representative of Mayflower Cruises and Tours and assisted with the transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the evening to experience this amazing city on your own.
DAY 2 September 8, Quito, Ecuador: After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Quito. The first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Quito boasts a historic center and centuries-old landmarks, dating back 500 years. See Independence Square, flanked by Presidential and Archbishop’s palaces. Visit ‘Mitad del Mundo’ and the Equator Monument, which stands at 0 degrees, and feel what it’s like to be standing in the middle of the world. During the included city tour, see a bull fighting ring and the gilded Spanish colonial church. This evening, enjoy the city on your own. Meals: B, L
DAY 3, September 9, *MV Galápagos Legend:: After breakfast, board your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, embark the MV Galápagos Legend for a four-night cruise. Set sail for Mosquera Islet, a tiny, low lying islet covered in coral sand. Experience your first wet landing and see lazy sea lions sunning themselves on the sand as you reach the shore. Shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies are also found here. While snorkeling, one can often see sharks, rays and barracuda. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4, September 10, Egas Port (Santiago Island) – Rabida Island: This morning, visit the fourth largest island in the Galápagos, Santiago Island. It provides spectacular views of powerful volcanic activity. A wet landing brings you to Egas Port, a black volcanic sand beach, visited by Darwin in 1835. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of the Santiago shore is home to a variety of animals including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron, sea lions and lava lizards. Marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas graze on algae beds alongside Sally light-foot crabs. You may also see colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool-water volcanic rock pools. The afternoon’s adventure is on Rabida Island. Lying at the heart of the archipelago, this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galápagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes you through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. During a dinghy ride along the marine cliffs, observe nesting seabirds. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5 September 11, Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove (Isabela Island): Start your day with a wet landing on the volcanic black beach at Urbina Bay. In 1954, a volcano uplifted the coral reef, leaving marine skeletons that tell of its ancient past. Look for Darwin’s finches, land iguanas and the Galápagos cotton flower in bloom. After a short walk inland, outstanding snorkeling awaits in the crystal clear waters, showcasing fascinating marine life. Amazing views of the Alcedo Volcano, which spewed an unusual combination of rhyolite and basalt lava, stands as a powerful backdrop and reminder of nature’s power. This afternoon, a dry landing takes you into Tagus Cove. A well-known hideout in the days of pirates, it was also one of the few sites visited by Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A trail walk leads to Darwin’s salt- water crater lake with excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. The dinghy ride along the shoreline showcases blue- footed boobies, brown noddys, terns, and other seabirds. You can also snorkel in the deep water, along the submerged wall with turtles and native fish. Meals: B, L, D
DAY 6, September 12, Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) – Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island): Arrive via dry landing at Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island, one of the most well-preserved of the Galápagos Islands. Discover one of the world’s most pristine breathtaking views abound on the islands ecosystems as you observe hundreds of prehistoric marine iguanas sunbathing on black lava rocks. Quiet now as you encounter flightless cormorants on their nesting site, the only place in the world to find this species. These birds once flew, but over time, adapted to their environment and lost their ability to fly. Be on the lookout for the major predator on the island, the Galápagos hawk. This afternoon, visit Vicente Roca Point. This is a marine-only visitor site with great opportunities for deep-water snorkeling. See plenty of red-lipped batfish, sea horses, frogfish, marine turtles, sunfish, nudibranchs and octopi in these waters. On a dinghy ride along the coast, observe brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants, nazca and blue-footed boobies, all ready to pose for pictures! Meals: B, L, D
DAY 7, September 13, Santa Cruz Island / Guayaquil: As your cruise comes to an end, you’ll be filled with wonder at the sights and sounds of the Galápagos Islands. Disembark the vessel after a dry landing and journey by coach from the coast to the dense humid forest of the mountains and the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. A variety of birds - tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises’ shell!) make this their home, while the Galápagos giant tortoises are also seen meandering through pastures in their natural habitat. Continue to the Baltra airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour with a local guide as you visit Centenario Park dedicated to the independence and freedom of the old city. A walk through the legendary colonial district Barrio Las Peñas provides panoramic views of the city and Guayas River. While strolling along the charming river promenade, admire the Rotonda Monument dedicated to leaders of South American Independence, along with other historical landmarks and the Moorish clock tower. The tour concludes at the hotel for an evening at leisure. Meal: B
Day 8, September 14, Guayaquil / USA: Bid a fond farewell to Ecuador and its Galápagos Islands and return home filled with so many fond memories of the beauty, animal encounters and life enriching experiences of your small ship adventure. Meal: B
*Itinerary and vessel are subject to change based on operating conditions
SCSTC Detailed Trip Cancellation Policy
Trip Cancellation Insurance is recommended to protect against these penalties. Cancellations must be in writing.
- How Do I Register for this Trip
Please complete a SCSTC Trip Application to secure your spot on this trip. Our trips have been selling out quickly, so we recommend you send in your application and initial trip deposit soon.
Please provide a copy of your passport photo page with completed trip application
Payment Plan:
Deposit required: $600 pp, without Mayflower Travel Protection Plan. $400 is non refundable if the trip is canceled.
Deposit required: $1169 pp, if purchasing Mayflower Travel Protection Plan. TPP must be paid within five business days after making reservation. Mayflower Cruises & Tours provides a special Travelers Protection Plan for River Cruises and Small Ship Adventures. Purchasing this plan will allow you a full refund, less the cost of the Travelers Protection Plan, for cancellations due to covered reasons. If interested, please contact me for details. $400 is non-refundable if canceled for a non-covered reason, see TPP details.
100% of tour cost due March 1, 2027
Make all **checks payable to:
Space Coast Ski & Travel Club
Send Payments To:
Space Coast Ski & Travel Club
P.O. BOX 372633
Satellite Beach, FL 32937
**To use credit card, add 3.5% to price. Please contact Trip Leader for this option.
Zelle payments are available. Please use email scstcpayment@spacecoastskiclub.com. You may need to create a new Zelle® contact using this email address. Only use this email for Zelle® payments, it is not monitored for any correspondence. If you do make a Zelle payment for your deposit, you still must mail in your Trip Application and a copy of your passport to the P.O. Box above.
Other trip requirements:
- Each traveler will be required to have a valid passport that expires 6 months or more from the date of this trip (cannot expire earlier than March 14, 2028)
Trip Leader: Debbie Steininger - debbie@spacecoastskiclub.com
